Common claims and explanations about what is actually happening locally.
Claims and the facts behind them
“The council has bought new properties for people seeking asylum and gives them £2,000.”
What’s true
- Cumberland Council has not bought any properties for people seeking asylum
- all asylum accommodation is arranged by the Home Office through its contractors
- there is no £2,000 payment
People seeking asylum receive limited financial support from the Home Office:
- £9.95 a week if they are living in hotel accommodation
- £49.18 a week if they are in temporary accommodation
“People are being evicted so landlords can rent homes to Serco.”
What’s true
- Serco has confirmed it does not evict existing tenants to provide asylum accommodation
- numbers of people seeking asylum in Cumberland have remained stable
“They’re living in luxury hotels at our expense.”
What’s true
- accommodation used is typically budget hotels or repurposed buildings
- rooms are often small, sometimes shared, and have limited facilities
- people seeking asylum have no choice about where they are placed
There are currently no asylum hotels in Cumberland, and none planned.
“They’re taking rooms from paying hotel guests.”
What’s true
- hotels used usually have spare capacity or low demand
- contracts are agreed by the Home Office, not the council
“They get free houses from the council.”
What’s true
- people seeking asylum are placed in temporary accommodation by the Home Office while their claim is assessed
- councils do not choose who is placed or where they stay
Once granted refugee status, people can apply for social housing or rent privately in the same way as any other eligible resident.
“They get a house as soon as they arrive.”
What’s true
- people seeking asylum often spend months or years in temporary accommodation
- they cannot choose where they live
- they cannot apply for social housing until they are granted refugee status
“They jump the queue for social housing.”
What’s true
- refugees go through the same housing application process as everyone else
- refugee status does not give automatic priority
- applications are assessed based on need
“They get £70 a day in spending money.”
What’s true
- people seeking asylum receive limited weekly support
- this is £9.95 a week in hotel accommodation or £49.18 a week in temporary accommodation
- the money is intended to cover basic essentials only
“They refuse to work to pay for their stay.”
What’s true
- people seeking asylum are not allowed to work while waiting for a decision
- this is government policy, not a personal choice
“Cumberland takes more than its fair share.”
What’s true
- all local councils are expected to play a role
- Cumberland already hosts people seeking asylum
- no new asylum accommodation is currently planned in the area
“They get free phones paid for by the taxpayer.”
What’s true
- people seeking asylum do not receive phones or internet access from the government
- any basic items provided by charities are donated, not publicly funded
“They’re treated better than people who are homeless.”
What’s true
- the government has a legal duty to house people seeking asylum
- homelessness support is covered by different laws and funding
- both are serious issues with separate responsibilities
“They’re pretending to be refugees to get support.”
What’s true
- all asylum claim is assessed by the Home Office
- most people seeking asylum are fleeing war, persecution or violence
- claims are checked before refugee status is granted
Understanding the terms used
It can be helpful to understand the difference between migrants, people seeking asylum and refugees.
Migrant is someone who chooses to move to another country to live, work, study or join family.
Person seeking asylum:
- someone who has left their home country because they fear persecution, war or violence
- they are waiting for a government decision on their claim
- during this time, they cannot work and are usually housed by the Home Office
Refugee:
- someone whose asylum claim has been accepted
- they have the right to live, work and access services in the UK